Five South Florida Food- and Drink-Related Events This Weekend: Swank Table Lunch, Food Trucks, and More

So, you survived the holiday season madness and are ready to reclaim your weekends as your own. Clean Plate Charlie has gathered up a few food- and drink-related events going down this weekend in Broward and Palm Beach counties. After the jump, find a few ways to keep busy and entertain the palate -- on your terms.

If one of your New Year's resolutions was to find inner peace and/or get a little more culture in your life, check out the Sado Omote Senke Tea Ceremony Class on Sunday at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. Call 561-495-0233 ext. 210 for details on registration, cost, and time slots that are available.

4. SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch

The first free SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch of 2013 is this weekend with free tunes and a chance to eat brunch with a view of the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The brunch is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District.

3. Food truck gathering in Boca

Animal lovers and food truck enthusiasts can combine forces tonight (Friday) in Sanborn Square in Boca Raton for a Friday Night Live food truck event. The Tri-County Humane Society will be on-hand for the gathering, which includes food trucks, a DJ, and a full bar. Leashed friendly dogs are welcome. The event is free, but bring cash for the trucks (and to donate to homeless animals). The event is 6 to 9:30 p.m.

2. Pico de Garden Gala

This month's farm style event/lunch by Swank Table features Gordon Maybury (executive chef of PGA National Resort and Spa), Sean McDonald (executive chef at Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort), Chris Miracolo (executive chef of Max's Harvest), Darlene Moree (pastry chef and owner of Parisorbet), and Jenny Benzie (head sommelier and CEO of Pour Sip Savor). The cost is $150 per person and it's open to adults only. The lunch is noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Reserve a spot online. Proceeds will benefit The Milagro Center. Resident chef Lindsay Autry will be there, and the afternoon includes a book signing by Aran Goyoaga, author of "Small Plates and Sweet Treats: My Family's Journey to Gluten-Free Cooking, from the Creator of Cannelle et Vanille." The lunch is at Swank Specialty Produce in Loxahatchee.

1. First Fridays on Federal - Introduction of new food truck rally in Hallandale Beach

Hallandale Beach has a new food truck roundup to kick off the new year. Starting this evening (Friday), every first Friday of the month, a collection of food trucks will meet at Hallandale Beach City Hall located at 400 S. Federal Highway. The first session will welcome trucks like BITE Gastrotruck, Crazydilla, Dog Eat Dog, HipPOP's Handcrafted Gelato Bars, Sugar Yummy Mama, and Purple People Eatery. The roundup is 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and a DJ will be there to provide tunes.

Coming Up

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